Greenhouse Gases and Gas Laws

Flashcards covering the concepts of greenhouse gases, their effects, and gas laws.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Greenhouse effect

A natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life.

Impact of greenhouse gases on the greenhouse effect

Greenhouse gases absorb and reemit radiation escaping from Earth's surface, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Relationship between CO2 and global temperature levels

There is a direct positive correlation, where rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations trap more solar heat, resulting in higher global surface temperatures.

Kinetic molecular theory

A theory explaining the physical properties of gases by stating that they are in constant random motion.

Pressure in gases

Gases exert pressure due to the constant motion of particles and the large distances between them.

Compressibility of gases

Gases are compressible because the distances between particles are huge compared to their size.

Density of gases

Gases have very low density because the particles are far apart.

Pressure Conversion: 1 ATM

1 ATM is equal to 760 mmHg, 760 torr, 101,325 Pa, and 101.325 kPa.

Combined gas law

The equation linking pressure, volume, and temperature in the form: P1 × V1 × T2 = P2 × V2 × T1.

Ideal gas law

The law defined by the equation PV = nRT, where P is pressure, V is volume, n is amount of substance, R is the gas constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin.

Gas constant (R)

The value of R in the ideal gas law is 0.0821 L·ATM/(mol·K).

Temperature in gas laws

Temperature must be in Kelvin when using gas laws.